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Rich Mix

Arabs Are Not Funny (Edition 12): After eleven sold-out editions, Arts Canteen’s 'Arabs Are Not Funny' is back with a great line-up of comedians, representing the Arab world and surrounding regions. Performing in English, the main act will be the Somalian born Prince Abdi. A British stand-up, actor, writer and a regular on the UK comedy circuit, Abdi's versatile storytelling style of comedy made him the perfect choice to support Reginald D Hunter, Stephen K Amos and Dave Chappelle on their national tours; and, he has also performed alongside Chris Rock and Louis CK.

Arab Christmas, Exploring the Early Arab Christian Chants: A rare opportunity to hear chants from the Aramaic-Syriac and Byzantine traditions, harking back to the time of Queen Zanubia’s reign of Palmyra. It was in the second century that Christianity reached the ancient Syrian caravan city and witnessed the emergence of the first church melodies out of the secular Aramaic music of Syria and Iraq. Coptic Egyptian-German singer Merit Ariane Stephanos and Father Shafiq Abouzayd will introduce the audience to this music; and, in particular, to the chanting traditions of the Le

Souk for Syria: An exciting cultural and musical fundraiser for the Levantine Relief Network, a grassroots Syrian charity that provides education and aid to displaced Syrians. The Souq will be a magical journey through a traditional Syrian market where Middle Eastern arts, crafts, jewellery, toys and Syrian cuisine will be available.

I Know Not: A Night of Sufi Stories: In a performance laced with subversion, rebellion, wit, poetry, and philosophy, the Egyptian performer, Chirine El Ansary, takes an unexpected journey into the bizarre and beautiful Sufi realm.

Magic and Power in Alf Layla Wa Layla: Through tales of enchantment, an illustrated talk and debate, Egyptian storyteller Chirine El Ansary, mythographer and writer Marina Warner and novelist Samantha Herron invite you to listen to, engage with and discuss stories of magical transformations from 'The Thousand and One Nights'.

The Mosaiques Festival 2016: Produced by Arts Canteen and supported by Bureau Export (the French music export office), the festival returns for its sixteenth edition. Celebrating diversity in music, film and the arts from all over the world, it will feature cutting-edge contemporary music produced in France, UK, Turkey and beyond.

Arabs Are Not Funny! (Comedy): Widely regarded as one of the hottest comedy nights among the Arab community and beyond. After a very successful sold-out seven editions, Arts Canteen’s show is back with a new line-up of comedians, representing the Arab world and surrounding regions, looking for an opportunity to showcase their talents. Presented by Tala Karkouti, host of online radio show 'The LIL', the line-up of confirmed comedians include: Marouen Mraihi (Tunisia), Zahra Barri (Egypt-Ireland), Hashem El Garhy (Egypt), Mohammed Saffaf (Syria/UK).

Egypt Visual Iconography & Sounds: A visual presentation by Nada Dahab on the iconic objects that are integral to Egypt’s cultural fabric. An evening on the societal, cultural and moral factors that impact on textile design and which explain why the objects at hand are of great cultural value and part of life in Egypt. Dahab is a British-Egyptian creative living in London whose work spreads across many disciplines, from fashion styling and art direction to sessional tutoring at the University for the Creative Arts on developing and realising creative briefs.

Ramadan Night: Promising to be a magical evening to mark the start of Ramadan. Audience are invited to experience an atmosphere that will be gently lit by candles and Arabic lanterns and where one can enjoy a world of story-telling, comedy, poetry and rich musical traditions. There will be songs and sounds that reach back in time through Arabic history. An ensemble, led by Saied Silbak, explores the mosaic of Arab maqamat (modes), muwashahat (songs set to the text of classical Arabic poetry from medieval Andalusia) and qudud (folk songs originating from Aleppo, Syria).

Kel Assouf: Attend the touareg band around Anana Harouna from Niger. Ready for the next phase, new member Toulou Kiki - the actress in the award-winning movie Timbuktu - adds the matriarchal tradition from the touaregs to the repertoire, whilst Tunisian producer-musician Sofyann Ben Youssef takes the band to a whole new level, working on a very contemporary sound. The result is touareg desert rock with dragging drums, cutting guitar riffs and tamasheq chants.